In the village of Kaoh Pao in Koh Kong province, Cambodia, nearly 198 000 square meters of land previously contaminated by mines were cleared and handed over to local residents.
The exact area is 197 810 square meters. The project was implemented with India's support under the Quick Impact Project (QIP) program within the Mekong–Ganga cooperation.
The land is now available to approximately 134 families. They will be able to use it for agriculture, housing construction and other needs.
The handover ceremony took place on 1 October. It was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh Tanu Priya, Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority Tep Kallian, and Deputy Governor of Koh Kong province Y Nearynet.
Cambodia has suffered for decades from mines and unexploded ordnance left over from wars. These threats limit access to land and hinder the development of communities.
India has supported demining in the country since the early 1990s. The assistance includes equipment, training of specialists, mine-detection dogs and support for mine victims.
How will this affect the daily lives of families in Kaoh Pao?
The project became another step in the two countries' long-term partnership on humanitarian demining. India had previously completed several similar initiatives in the province.
